The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA has been ranked among the top-performing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs in the recently concluded 120-day Regulatory Reform Accelerator Plan, RRAP facilitated by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC.

OGFZA achieved a 100% score, alongside eight other MDAs that attained this score out of 53 MDAs in the Overall Performance. In order words, nine MDAs scored 100% out of 53 MDAs making all 9 MDAs including OGFZA 1st position in this year’s PEBEC ranking.

This was revealed during a Special PEBEC Townhall meeting convened by the Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; on Friday 28th June 2024 at the State House Conference Hall , State House in Abuja.

The meeting which followed the successful completion of a 120-day Regulatory Reform action plan, had in attendance the Vice President of Nigeria and Chairman of the PEBEC, Sen. Kashim Shettima, GCON; Executive Governors of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya; Attorney General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari.

Also present at the meeting were the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada; Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi; Chairman, National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, retired Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa; representative of the SGF, Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs, Richard Pheelangwah; other permanent secretaries, other heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Captains of Industries and entrepreneurs from various sectors across the country.

The RRA plan was initiated to enhance the ease of doing business with government agencies and improve efficiency in the delivery of government services.

Recall that the RRA was initially targeted to last for 90 days commencing on 20th February to 20th May 2024. However, Vice President Shettima graciously granted a 30-day extension in order to allow more time for agencies having difficulties with completing the exercise to improve on their areas of reform.

While congratulating the Reform Champions and Business Facilitation Act, BFA Committee members in OGFZA, after the Townhall meeting, the helmsman, commended the entire Management and staff of the Authority for their diligence and resilience towards the successful implementation of the RRA despite the fluctuation and high competition. He however, urged them to work harder subsequently in order to attain greater heights in future.

“I congratulate you all our Reform Champions and the Management and entire staff of OGFZA for making us proud. I encourage you to keep up the spirit.”

OGFZA has over the years, performed excellently in PEBEC ranking.

MD/CEO OGFZA, Bamanga Usman Jada at the special PEBEC Townhall Meeting hosted by the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, GCON; at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Friday 28th June, 2024